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Q Branch Archive for posts tagged ‘function band’

Party Band

You’re having a parrrrtttaaaay? Well, there’s lots to think about and organise and one of the most important to organise is the entertainment and you need a party band!

Well look no further because you have found one of the best party bands around!

Doctor Chocolate are a 9 piece party band and we have been going for over 25 years.  Yes, that’s a long time we know, and you may think that the band is made up of a lot of old farts, but it’s not!  It’s full of very talented, experienced and professional musicians who know their craft and are exceptionally good at what they do.  Especially when you think that many “party/function” bands have come and gone in that time!  We’re still going strong so we must be doing something right, and we are!

What are we doing right?  Well, let us tell you!!  The sets are full of high-energy, non-stop party hits which are guaranteed to fill a dance floor for the entire evening.  The music is stonkingly vibrant with the added energy and input from the brass section.  The brass section play in harmony, which fattens out the sound and adds soul and funk to the songs and we ask them to multi-task and dance at the same time!  If there isn’t any brass in a song then we add it into the song and “choccify it”. Doctor Chocolate has two high energy and interactive vocalists who have a great vocal range and can adapt to any style and they talk to your guests too!  Songs are non-stop so there’s no awkward silence in between songs whilst the band decide what they are going to play next – songs flow from one to the other and the high-energy is maintained throughout.

Not only are we a fantastic party band with a great sound and performance we are professional too.  By professional we mean that we are highly respectful of the guests, the venue, fellow entertainers and of course to all our clients.  We won’t let you down with bad language, bad performances or by being rude and inconsiderate on or off stage.  From the moment you enquire to the end of the event we are extremely well-behaved and polite as well as being great people to work with.

So yes, we’ve been going 25 years but it’s not the same people in the band now as at the start – we’ve evolved and expanded.  The band is made up of 9 very talented musicians who all get along with no drama and no egos in sight!  We are also extremely reliable and, in all the 25 years of performing, have NEVER let a client down!

Looking for a party band?  Need a function band?  Want to ensure your guests have the best band and entertainment as well as having music played throughout that will keep everyone happy and dancing?  Check out our videos on our website or on the Facebook page – they are all 100% live with no studio editing or recording – just a simple camera in the corner of the room – but what you see is what you get and what you get is a fantastic party band guaranteed to get your guests on the dancefloor and having a great party!

December 19, 2018

Wedding Music

Wedding music is such a personal choice and many couples don’t know where to start.

Working in the wedding industry we are often asked by couples What music do we choose for the wedding ceremony?  Do we need a wedding music playlist?  I want music for my wedding but need some wedding entertainment ideas? I want to choose the best wedding music but don’t know where to start?

Well, music is a personal choice but its also an extremely important part of any celebration.

The Wedding Ceremony – Church or Civil

If you are having a Church wedding ceremony then you’ll need to choose entrance music for the bride, hymns to sing during the service, music for signing the register and exit music.

ENTRY MUSIC

You can choose classical wedding music for your entry/exit or pick a song that means something to you – perhaps a song that was playing when you first met – as long as it’s also suitable for playing in a church!

You’ll need an organist to play the hymns for your service but the rest of the music can be played by a small band, solo vocalist with backing tracks, harpist or why not opt for an acoustic guitarist who would sound fantastic in a church acoustic.

You will need to choose hymns though – so pick hymns that are popular if you can.  There’s nothing worse than choosing a hymn with a melody that nobody knows – they won’t sing along and the Vicar may feel a little vulnerable singing on their own!

Choose a entrance song that is beautiful, serene and gentle – this is the arrival of the bride after all.  Be clear in your choice when you relay the song to the organist – if you want the theme tune for Robin Hood – stress that you want “Everything I do” by Bryan Adams not THE theme tune for the 50’s TV show  – believe us – we’ve heard this one played before!  You don’t want the bride galloping down the aisle to the wrong song!

If you are having a civil reception – then you have a wider choice of songs to play for your entrance, recessional and exit music – but you can’t have anything played that has a religious side to it – so no hymns or similar.

Here are a few suggestions for entrance music – a few classical and a few modern:

They Long To Be Close To You – Carpenters
Songbird – Eva Cassidy
Make You Feel My Love – Adele
Bella’s Lullaby – Twilight
Arrival of the Queen of Sheba
Bridal Chorus (Here Comes The Bride) – Wagner
Clare de Lune – Claude Debussy
Canon in D
Nocturne – Chopin

You’ll need music for signing of the Register too.  Something classical, emotive, wonderful lyrics and reflective music.  If you are in a church then perhaps choose something classical or have a vocalist singing Ave Maria.  If you are having a civil ceremony then you are likely to remain in the same room whilst you sign the register – so choose something romantic that sums the pair of you up.

After signing of the register it’s time to leave the venue as a married couple.  This will be your first song you hear after the official side of the ceremony so pick something that is lively, fun and has amazing lyrics.

Here are a few exit suggestions:

Signed, Sealed Delivered I’m Yours – Stevie Wonder
Now That We’ve Found Love – Heavy D & The Boys
Better Together – Jack Johnson
Somewhere Over The Rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
From This Moment On – Shania Twaine
Can You Feel The Love Tonight – Lion King

After the formalities are over it’s time for the Wedding Reception.

Lots of wedding entertainment ideas here!  Perhaps a steel band in the garden for a drinks reception, or a jazz trio, easy listening band? A harpist is always popular or for something a little different a brass quintet!  There’s also singing waiters which seem to be a popular addition these days – choose wisely though – there are some that should really stick to waiting on tables rather than singing! Go by recommendation or ask to see videos of them in action to make sure you hire the best ones!

Although Doctor Chocolate are a 9piece band we can also provide music for your wedding reception earlier in the day if required by scaling down to a 3/4 piece playing easy listening and soft jazz classics such as Fly Me To The Moon, Zing Went the Strings, Autumn Leaves, My Funny Valentine, Besame Mucho, Dream a Little Dream and lots of other hits by Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Andy Williams and all the other great crooners!Lots of ideas here for reception music.

The Evening Party

This is where your imagination can run and run!  You need to pick your evening entertainment based on your guests!  You may both absolutely love hard core Jazz, House Music, A Michael Buble tribute etc.  These are great for adding atmosphere to the evening and be exactly what you as a couple are totally into and you’ll love it!  Remember however that you are inviting guests along to the evening to celebrate with you and they will be of mixed age groups.  Remember also that not all your guests will also love extreme jazz – not everyone will be into hard house music – and a Michael Buble tribute may be excellent but you can’t dance along to it!   If your guests are not entertained or if they have their ears bashed with hard core jazz or house music – you’ll find they will start to leave the wedding venue early.  If budget is no option then book a tribute for part of the evening and get a live band in playing covers for the remainder of the evening.

If budget is a problem and you can’t afford to have lots of different entertainment – then we would recommend going for a party covers band who will play music that your whole wedding party will enjoy, dance and get involved with.  They will know the songs played, they can sing and dance along, they will have a great night dancing no matter what age group they are and most importantly everyone will have a brilliant evening.

Doctor Chocolate are a fantastic party covers band and we are experienced at celebrations where there is a mix in age groups and musical tastes.  The key is bringing everyone together to have a great night and help you celebrate one of the biggest nights of your lives!

The First Dance
This is definitely one that is super-personal.  It needs to be a song that you both love, that means something to you both.  Perhaps the song that was playing when you first met, had your first date, came on the radio when you had a special evening, was your holiday song or is just something a little different or it has lyrics in that just touch the very heart of you and sums up your relationship perfectly. Remember you also have to dance to it in front of your guests so pick a song that you are comfortable with.  If you can’t dance – pick a song where you just have to shuffle together and hold each other, encourage your guests to join you on the dance floor after the first 20 bars of the song.  If you can dance – pick something where you can bust out some moves and impress everyone with your dance prowess!

Moon River – Frank Sinatra
The Way You Look Tonight – Tony Bennett
All Of Me Loves All Of You – John Legend
Use Somebody – Kings Of Leon
Just the Way You Are – Bruno Mars
1000 years – Christina Perry
Falling In Love with You Again – Imelda May
Better Together – Jack Johnson
For Once In My Life – Stevie Wonder

Read more articles on Wedding entertainment here:
Wedding Entrance Music
Wedding Recessional Music
Wedding Exit Music
Wedding Receptions – Music
Wedding Music  – First Dance
Wedding Evening Celebrations

August 11, 2014 Short URL

DJ V Wedding Band

Should you hire a live band or should you book a DJ for your event?

Well it’s all down to personal taste.

But, as with everything in life, there are good and bad DJ’s and there are good and bad bands out there! Of course there are also BRILLIANT bands out there and Doctor Chocolate are one of them!

How do you choose what is right for your event?

BUDGET

Although hiring a live band can cost more – it is definitely worth the investment!   A solo performer (usually playing/singing along to backing tracks) can cost anything from £300 plus – we’ve worked with some who charge £850!  A live band can be anywhere between £500 – £4000.  The cost of the band will depend on the size, how many band members they have, if they have their own equipment or need to hire it in, and how experienced they are.  A band just starting out will be cheaper as they haven’t built a reputation and may not be reliable – their experience may be performing in pubs.  Doctor Chocolate are not expensive by any means – we work really hard to keep our costs to the absolute minimum so we can pass the savings back to you – but we are not cheap either so you won’t be able to book the band for £500!  There are 10 members of the band in Doctor Chocolate (9 musicians and 1 sound engineer). Remember – you may think it’s expensive to hire a professional – but wait until you hire an amateur!  This may be the only time you have a spectacular event in your lifetime – make sure you book the right entertainment.

A Great DJ can cost between £500-£1200 for the evening – again depending on the quality of equipment they bring, lighting and how good they are!  Other DJs can cost between £150-£300.  Please go and see them in advance to make sure they suit your event – and remember you get what you pay for!

Contact Doctor Chocolate to find out how much we will cost you for your event.  We will ask you some questions so that we can give you a full and inclusive quote: What date do you want? What time do you want the band to arrive and finish? Where are your having your event? Do you want an early set up or a late finish?  From this we can give you a fully inclusive quote.  We promise you will be pleasantly surprised as we are excellent value for a 9 piece band and sound engineer – making 10 people in total. Each and every member of the band are enthusiastic and experienced. Our only aim is to provide the best entertainment for your event. In addition we are fully self contained – with our own pa, lighting, pat tested equipment and public liability insurance as standard!

SONG CHOICE

If you want your guests to be able to request songs to be played all night long – then go for a DJ. They will have (hopefully) thousands of songs available on their laptop that they can play for you.

If however you want a live band that can appeal to every generation that attends your wedding, you want the WOW factor, want a band that has a set list that is tried and tested and updated regularly so only the best music from the 1960’s to present day chart numbers are played by a skilled and experienced live band – then  go for a live band every time. You can’t beat it for atmosphere and interaction. Doctor Chocolate are the perfect party band for any occasion.

A band can perform any number of songs but be wary of bands that only have a playlist of about 30 numbers on their entire set list.  They may not be able to adapt to different crowds and musical tastes.  But also be very wary of bands who have list after list after list of songs on their website – can they really play them all?  More importantly, can they really play them all well or will it sound like a rehearsal band on the night as they try to cram in as many songs as you’ve requested into the set?

Doctor Chocolate have an extensive list of songs in our set that work well for weddings, corporate events, charity fundraisers etc.  Our sets are changed and rehearsed regularly to keep them fresh and new and to ensure that the songs are always played as close to the original – but with a Choccie twist!  However, band members choose the numbers in the set.  From experience we know what songs work well and what songs don’t work so well for mixed audiences and celebrations.  Depending on the event and the type of crowd attending – we will change our sets accordingly.  Be assured the sets will be rocking and the dance floor jammed!

ATMOSPHERE

There are some good DJs and we’ve come across some awful DJs.  Your DJ should be able to get the crowd going and be interactive and clear when they speak – not mumble into the microphone or be really cheesey!  They need to build the atmosphere for your event.  Playing record after record is easy but you need them to be able to talk to your guests and encourage them if needed.  In addition, make sure their equipment is good enough for the size of your venue.

Doctor Chocolate are excellent at interacting with any crowd and different generations. We know how important the atmosphere can be and our dance-floors are always jammed with guests from the moment we start until the moment we end! Doctor Chocolate bring along our PA system and lighting. Our sound is clear and full – our PA system is top of the range. If you have a larger venue – mention it at the time of booking as we can extend our PA system and hire in some more to ensure the equipment is exactly right for the venue.

Doctor Chocolate interact with your guests.  It’s not us on stage and your guests on the dance floor.  We have one common aim!  We want your event to be THE BEST night! So we interact with your guests, we talk to them and involve them in what we are doing.  That way, everyone has an amazing evening.

EXPERIENCED & RELIABLE

If you go for a DJ choose one who has experience!  Try to avoid any that don’t bring along a PA system but require you to hire one in, and avoid any that don’t have their own lighting systems – you’ll have to hire these in addition.  Get referrals if you can from previous clients.

The same applies to hiring a live band. Choose a band that is experienced in the type of event you are organising.  Having the wrong type of band perform at your event can be disastrous.  You may love to have a Michael Buble tribute or James Bond Tribute Band.  This is great and can add atmosphere to your event but make sure that they also offer a party set as well as your guests will want some variety and want to party later in the evening!  We can certainly recommend The Name Is Band – Bond Tribute Band – perfect for James Bond Themed parties and events – performing an hour set of Bond themes and a fantastic party set later in the evening.

Doctor Chocolate have over 25 years experience at performing for all types of events.  In all that time we have NEVER let a client down – ever!  Our reputation is excellent and over 80% of our work comes through recommendation or people who have seen/heard us before.

To be honest – NOTHING can compare to a live band that is experienced, fun, interactive, sound great, look great and appeal to every generation attending your event! LIVE MUSIC RULES!

August 1, 2014 Short URL

Reliable Wedding Band

Doctor Chocolate have been on the professional circuit of function, wedding, covers, party bands in the Bristol and South West area for over 20 years. We are experienced, interactive, reliable, fun, sound great, look great and, more importantly, in all that time not once have we let a venue or a client down.

Sadly, this isn’t the case with all bands.  In 2014 we’ve received over 8 last minute telephone calls from couples who are desperately looking for a band for their wedding as the band they booked emailed or telephoned them to say they couldn’t make it!  This is dreadful and, after all the hard work that goes into organising your day and evening – the absolute last thing you want to hear.

Your evening entertainment for your wedding can be just as important as the daytime celebrations and ceremony.  It is the part of the day when you need to ensure your guests are fed, watered and looked after and have a great evening!

Sadly, Doctor Chocolate haven’t always been able to help out as we have a packed diary of bookings ourselves.  For a 9-piece band this is fantastic and we are one of the most hard-working bands on the circuit.  But this doesn’t help you when you’ve been let down by a band that isn’t professional and won’t think twice about the implications of letting you down at the last minute!

Please always check out a band before you book them – not all bands are as experienced and reliable as Doctor Chocolate.  Nearly every band now have a series of videos and recordings on their website for you to view before booking – please remember that the vast majority of videos have been recorded in a studio with the band having been tweaked to within an inch of their lives by a talented studio sound engineer!  Go and see them live!  Ask for recommendations and references from other clients! Ask to talk to previous clients if you need to!

Doctor Chocolate have uploaded 22 videos to our main website – each and every one of these videos has been recorded whilst we have been performing live in front of an audience!  Not in a studio!  they sound great – they look great – and this is what you can expect for your event!

We won’t let you down on our performance and will guarantee you a fabulous night of music and dancing that all your guests will enjoy and talk about for years after!  Don’t take our word for it – check out the testimonials on our main website page.

 

August 1, 2014 Short URL

Stage Set Up and Lighting

Doctor Chocolate have an excellent PA system. Many bands say that – but actually turn up with an alright PA system – not a great PA system!  Doctor Chocolate invest heavily in our equipment – we have the latest QSC PA system and it sounds amazing!  Our sound is clear – you can hear every instrument playing, crisp – it’s not muffled or muddy in sound and it’s compact too so doesn’t take up too much room.  Visit our main website here!

We’ve turned up at events where the DJ hasn’t wanted to go on after we’ve played as their PA system (which is HUGE in size) just isn’t up to the job for the night.  Recently the DJ cranked his volume up so much he blew one of the speakers!  Doctor Chocolate can increase the volume as needed – but always within the levels set by the venue and we always sound great! No sub-standard equipment for the Choccies!

In addition we also provide lighting for the stage so that you can see us and it adds ambiance! You’d be surprised how many bands don’t have any lighting at all and turn up at a venue where they also don’t have any ambiant lighting! The result? No atmosphere as the main lights have to remain on all night – have you tried “Dad Dancing” with the lights full on?  Not a great look or atmosphere!

Other bands will charge you an extra fee for providing lighting for the stage and dance-floor!  All these little extras can soon add up and take your budget over what you wanted to spend.

Doctor Chocolate – wedding, covers, party and function band quote you for your event and we include the PA system, stage lighting, 9 musicians, 1 sound engineer and include two hours of live music performed by an awesome band with songs that are guaranteed to get your toes tapping and your guests on the dance floor!

All our equipment is pat tested yearly and we have public liability insurance so your venue can be assured that they are protected too! Find out more on our main website, facebook page or contact us for more information on how we can give your event the WOW factor.

July 31, 2014 Short URL

Wedding Band at Forde Abbey

Wow! What a venue.  Party, covers and wedding band Doctor Chocolate had the pleasure of playing here at the weekend and it is simply stunning for weddings!

Beautiful grounds, beautiful building and lovely staff! It was an absolute pleasure to perform here!

If you have a wedding, party or celebration of any kind coming up then you need Doctor Chocolate!  We are a fantastic band based in the South West of England and are available for any and all events.

Forde-Abbey-across-the-Long-PondWe play music for all generations from all generations. With music from the sixties to present day chart hits there will be something we play that you just HAVE to get on the dance floor and boogie along with.  If you are looking for a covers band, a party band, a wedding band, a corporate band, a charity fundraising band then you need Doctor Chocolate!  We have many years experience of performing for all types of events and celebrations and we know how to interact with different crowds and age groups.

So whatever event you are planning – get in contact for a free, no obligation, fully inclusive and highly competitive quote today! We’d love to hear from you.

Find Doctor Chocolate on Facebook too!

May 27, 2014 Short URL

Wedding and Party Band

wedding-band-bristol-doctor-chocolateDoctor Chocolate perform songs from all eras and genres so there is always something for everyone in our sets.  Doctor Chocolate perform for two x one hour sets and provide recorded music via ipod for the times when the live band are not performing.  Doctor Chocolate are experienced at events of all times, functions, parties, weddings, festivals, corporate events, fundraisers and proms to name a few.

Doctor Chocolate only ever perform as a 9-piece band and always fully live.  Ideally we would need space of 12’x15′ to perform in but this is a very rare occurrence and we can fit into smaller spaces as needed – we just don’t fling our elbows out with the dance moves as much!

As an experienced and reliable band we have the knowledge of performing at different events for different age groups and know exactly what is required of us at events and how to get every crowd involved in the evening.  As an experienced and professional band people are often surprised at how affordable we are.  We are hugely competitive for a band of our size – sometimes a lot less than a 5/6 piece band would charge you!  However, we are not “cheap”.  We always say you get what you pay for – if you pay peanuts… well, you know the rest!

Book a reliable, experienced and excellent band for your event – book Doctor Chocolate for a vibrant, full and explosive performance that will leave the competition standing….! Visit our main website or like our Facebook page to keep updated on the latest news and events. Contact us for a quote or more information

April 22, 2014 Short URL

Follow us on Twitter

twitterDoctor Chocolate, wedding, party and function band in Bristol, are now on Twitter!

Follow us! Tweet us! Re-tweet us! Keep updated on all the news and exclusive pictures from our events!

We’re new to this and would welcome any support so follow the ultimate party band in the South West on @docchocband

February 14, 2014 Short URL

Wedding Band Reliability

Doctor Chocolate are an awesome 9-piece live wedding, party and function band based in the South West Region of England.

We are one of THE most reliable bands on the circuit and, having performed at thousands of weddings and events all over the UK and abroad over the past 25 years, we are delighted to say that we have never once let a client down.

Sadly, we have received calls from couples, charities and events where the band they have booked have either; put their fees up at the last minute, cancelled the gig altogether or just not bothered to turn up on the night!  This is disgraceful behaviour but it can happen with bands who haven’t been on the circuit for long, are inexperienced and/or are unreliable.   Sometimes we’ve been available to step in and cover the event – hurrrahhhh – but if not, managed to find another band or DJ for the event so that they have some entertainment for guests attending. Whatever the problem we will always try to help.

wedding-band-bristol-doctor-chocolateIn over 25 years we’ve ALWAYS arrived at a function on time and we’ve never let any event down. EVER!

  • We’ve had the van break down on the motorway whilst on the way to London for a charity fundraising event, found another van to hire, unload and reload and STILL get to the venue on time.
  • Been door-deep in snow with the van stuck in the middle of nowhere – but we found a tractor to tow the van to the venue and still managed to be at the venue and set up in time.
  • Had our bass player lose his finger in a door whilst setting up AT the venue, and our talented Front Man picking up the bass and doubling up on the night.

So no matter what’s been thrown our way – Doctor Chocolate have ensured that our one and only priority; to make YOUR event the BEST event and ensure everyone has an amazing time – is always carried out!

So don’t take the chance with any other band!  This may be the only time you have to book a live band and you want it to be the best night possible!  Book Doctor Chocolate for your event and be guaranteed a full-on party that will have all your guests talking about your event for months after – and for all the right reasons!

January 26, 2014 Short URL

Song List for Doctor Chocolate – Wedding & Party Band Bristol

Photo 21-09-2013 22 09 56Doctor Chocolate are often asked what songs we include in our sets. Well we have an extensive list of songs that we play and it’s hard to choose what we can cram into two hours so we only choose the best songs from the 1960’s through to current chart hits.  Not all the songs we choose to play at weddings, charity events and corporate events have brass in the original recordings – but as we have an awesome brass section it would be criminal not to use them – so we adapt and change the songs to give them a big, round and full sound.  You can be sure that we carefully pick our sets of floor filers and there is something for every generation in our sets.  We always have a packed dance-floor – no matter what the occasion!

We are currently working on some new numbers for the sets to keep them fresh and funky and have a few rehearsals scheduled in for the month of February.

To give you an idea of some of the songs we do please see below.  We have an extensive set available so not all the songs we perform are listed – just a selection.  Where the song is highlighted please click on it to be taken to our website where you can see and hear the band perform the version of that song 100% live!

And so many more from all the decades: 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and present day chart busters!

January 24, 2014 Short URL
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